• Leading health and beauty retailer sees its Mole Scanning Service growing in popularity among young people
• Boots pharmacist encourages more patients to check their moles regularly as skin cancer in the UK continues to rise
• Mole Scanning Service is one of over 100 health and pharmacy services on the Boots Heath Hub 

Boots UK is encouraged to see a 47% increase in bookings for its Mole Scanning Service since May, as the country has eased out of lockdown and into the summer. The service is also growing in popularity among young people, with bookings up 60% among patients aged 20 to 29 between 2020 and 2021 to date, compared to an increase of 27% among all age groups.

This rise could be credited to the number of celebrities and influencers stars that have openly discussed melanoma and mole scanning. Last year, ex-Love Islander Molly-Mae Hague urged her six million Instagram and YouTube followers to get their moles checked following her scare with skin cancer.

However, skin cancer in the UK continues to rise, projected to grow to 32 cases per 100,000 people by 2035.* Boots is therefore encouraging everyone to stay on top of their moles.

Boots Pharmacist Bina Mehta said: “It is reassuring to see that while our patients are enjoying life out of lockdown and being outside, they are growing more aware of the need to check their moles. I encourage everyone – no matter your skin tone or sun care routine – to regularly check moles for any signs on change following the ABCDE rule. You should look out for: 

• “Asymmetry – Melanoma lesions are usually asymmetrical and irregular in shape, whereas benign moles tend to be symmetrical;
• “Border – The border of early melanomas can be uneven and may present as a series of semi-circular curves or v-shaped points. Benign moles have smooth, even borders;
• “Colour – A melanoma may present as a variety of colours and can in some instances become red, white or blue. Benign moles tend to be one colour, normally a single shade of brown;
• “Diameter – Melanomas tend to have a larger diameter than benign moles, typically greater than 6mm in diameter; and
• “Evolving – Moles or lesions that begin to change in any way in size, shape, colour, elevation, bleeding, itching or crusting must be reviewed.”

“If you are concerned about your mole or if you spot anything irregular, you should visit your GP, or you may want to consider booking an appointment at your nearest Boots pharmacy that offers a Mole Scanning Service.”

The Boots Mole Scanning Service is available at over 50 Boots pharmacies, operated by ScreenCancer with assistance from trained members of selected Boots pharmacy teams. It provides patients aged 18 and over with an assessment of moles and pigmented lesions they are worried about and can help to identify any suspicious moles. The first mole or pigmented lesion will cost £35. Each additional mole or pigmented lesion scanned within the same consultation will cost £15. 

For those who are affected by skin cancer, many of our stores now have Boots Macmillan Information Pharmacists, who are specially trained by Boots and Macmillan, to support people affected by cancer without an appointment.  

*Cancer Research UK, 2021